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Datsun forever changed the world of affordable sports cars when they launched their sleekly styled, 6-cylinder missile, the Datsun 240Z, in 1971. Six years after the Z car's reintroduction to the U.S. market, the 2009 Nissan 350Z happily stays true to the 240Z's successful blend of performance, style and reasonable price.
The 350Z shares its platform with the Infiniti G35 sedan and G37 coupe. Thes..... |
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The Volkswagen Eos model lineup is composed of just two trim levels for 2009-Komfort and Lux. Both are powered by Volkswagen's venerable 2.0L inline-4, which has a direct-injection and a turbocharger that makes 200 horsepower and 207 ft-lb of torque. The Komfort is available as either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, while the Lux comes only as an automatic. All Eos models are front-wheel dr..... |
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The Audi A4 sports sedan is all-new for 2009, and it brings with it enough configurations and options to keep serious drivers satisfied.
The A4 is available as a four-door sedan, a five-door station wagon dubbed the Avant, and as an open-top Cabriolet. Sedans derive their power from either a 2.0L 4-cylinder or a 3.2L V6. The former delivers 211 turbocharged horsepower, while the latter puts out 26..... |
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The 2009 Lexus SC 430 is powered by an aluminum 4.3L DOHC 32-valve V8 engine producing 288 horsepower and 325 pound/feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control and continuously Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i). The Intuitive Powertrain Control works with the Electronic Throttle Control to help smooth out accele..... |
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Both XKs and XKRs come in a coupe or convertible.
Constructed mostly of aluminum, the 2009 Jaguar XK and XKR are significantly stiffer than prior generations. The 4.2L V8 engine is refined and powerful, and is mated to a 6-speed sequential transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. Underneath, the eCATS system actively adjusts the suspension to keep the ride smooth yet sporty. Traction cont..... |
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BMW pioneered the "sports sedan" in the mid-1960s when it gave the world the 2002, and the Munich-based carmaker has built a strong reputation on furthering its pursuit of performance and practicality. The 1-Series is its newest offering, and the stylish coupe gives first-time buyers easy access to a great tradition.
The 1-Series comes in two basic flavors-128i and 135i-with variation through opti..... |
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Volvo's front-wheel-drive C70 convertible is offered only with the top-performing T5 engine for 2009, a 2.5L five-cylinder engine making 227 horsepower. It is matched to a standard six-speed manual gearbox with triple synchros for optimum shift feel, while a five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission with manual shift control is optional. With the manual transmission, Volvo says the C70 can reac..... |
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The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse comes either as a sporty coupe or a convertible (called the Spyder). Two trim levels are offered. The GS is powered by a 2.4L 4-cylinder making 162 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. The GT is powered by a 265-horsepower, 3.8L V6. The GS puts power to the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed Sportronic automatic with manual mode. The GT utilizes a 6-speed man..... |
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Three different variants of the Mercedes SLK roadster are again offered for 2009, and they all get minor facelifts in keeping with their more mature SL-Class siblings. As for power, the SLK280 retains its 228-hp 3.0L V6, while the SLK350's 3.5L V6 gets a nice boost from 268 hp to 305 hp, and the high-performance SLK55 AMG carries over with its potent 355-hp 5.5L V8.
Both of the V6 models have all-..... |
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